My Ultra Running Gear Essentials

There’s a certain kind of comfort that comes from slipping on the same vest, tightening the same shoe laces, clicking into the same watch screen. Kit, in ultra running, becomes a kind of ritual. A trust exercise. And if you’re anything like me, once you find something that works—you cling to it like your life (or at least your next finish line) depends on it.

But before I dive into the gear that’s earned its place in my pack, a quick disclaimer: kit choice is deeply individual. What works for me might not work for you. Every item I mention here has been tested over hundreds of miles, in all conditions, and usually through a bit of trial, error, and stubbornness. Please, always test your kit before race day.

With that said, here’s what I’ve come to rely on—and why.

Salomon ADV Skin 12

This vest has been with me through it all—training blocks, multi-day missions, long race nights. The Salomon ADV Skin 12 fits me like a second skin. No bounce. No rubbing. Just solid, practical design with pockets that actually work when your brain has turned to soup at 2am.

I’ve tried others, but I always come back to this. The soft flasks up front are easy to refill, the stash pocket at the back is big enough for a spare layer and snacks, and the adjustable front system means I can layer up underneath without it getting too tight. It’s one of those bits of kit that just quietly does its job. No fuss.

So much storage space!

Garmin Enduro 3

For someone who’s not that into data mid-run (I’ve turned off most of my watch stats to keep the headspace clean), this might seem like an overkill choice. But trust me—the Garmin Enduro 3 is worth every penny for one reason: battery life.

This watch lasts forever. I’ve done 30+ hour races and barely dented it. The solar charging helps, sure, but what I really love is the peace of mind. I don’t have to think about charging it mid-race. I don’t even carry a charger anymore. That’s one less thing to worry about—and in an ultra, that’s everything.

Fenix HM65R-T Head Torch

When I lined up at Golspie Backyard Ultra, I hadn’t really appreciated how much time I’d spend in the dark. Turns out, when you plant to run through two full nights, your head torch better be up to the task.

Enter the Fenix HM65R-T.

This head torch was my saving grace—seriously. The battery life is outrageous. I ran for 9 hours straight on a single charge, and it didn’t flinch. The beam is strong, the fit is secure, and it didn’t give me that horrible pressure headache some torches do after a few hours.

Read more: My Golspie Backyard Ultra Experience

Hoka Speedgoat 5

Let me just say it: I love the Hoka Speedgoat 5. I love them enough that I hoard them.

Which is necessary, because the newer version? Not the same. They’ve tweaked something in the fit or the cushioning—I’m not sure—but I just don’t feel as confident in the 6. So now, I hunt down the 5s on Vinted, crossing fingers and checking listings like it’s eBay in the early 2000s.

I currently have a couple of pairs stockpiled, but I know the supply will dry up eventually. So my next plan? Resolers. I’ll be looking into sole replacements instead of buying new because if the upper still works and the shoe feels like home, I’m not letting it go.

The Bottom Line: Test It All

All of this gear has one thing in common: it’s been tested. Not just on one run, but over months. Through good races and bad ones. In Scottish bogs and summer heatwaves.

If you’re building your ultra kit, don’t rush to buy what everyone else is wearing. Try it. Train in it. Fail in it. Adjust. That’s the only way you’ll know if it’ll stand up when the miles get long and the doubts creep in.

Got kit you swear by? I’d love to hear about it—drop me a message or tag me over on Instagram (@runsmileinspire).

Read next:

How to Train for a Backyard Ultra